Bridge.



No. 655,291. Patented Aug. 7, |900. E. R. WOODRUFF.

BRIDGE.

[Application fue-d July 29, 1899,) {Nu Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

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No. 655,29I. Patented Aug. 7, |900.

E. B. WOODRUFF.

B R D G E.

:Application iled July 29, 18.99.)

2 Sheets-Shea! 2,

(No Model.)

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NrTED STATES- PATENT Ormea.

EUGENE ROE IVOODRUFF, OE GROTON, NEXV YORK.

Bulnes.-

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 655,291, dated August 7, 1900.

Application filed July 29, 1899.

To @ZZ whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, EUGENE ROE WVOOD- RUFF, of Groton, in the county of Tompkins, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Bridges, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description. Y

This invention relates to improvements in the construction and manufacture of what are known as truss-bridges.

lWIy object is to construct a bridge the main portion of which is formed of wrought-iron or steel tubes and provided with wrought-iron or steel joints.

The difficulty heretofore has been in connecting the tubular compression members without entailing a great deal of expense. By my improved construction I provide joints which are interchangeable and which may be readily adapted to a high truss or a low truss bridge or one of any length. This enables me to construct a bridge more economically than any yet devised of the class described; and to that end my inventionconsists in the several new and novel features of construc-l tion and operation which are hereinafter described, and specifically set forthin the claims hereunto annexed. Y

It is constructed as follows, reference being had to the accompanying drawin gs,in which- Figure l is a view of a truss-bridge constructed in accordance with my improvements. Fig. 2 is an end view'thereof, showing the brackets which support the frame laterally. Fig. is an enlarged section of the frame and cross connection, showing the brackets and how they are secured. Fig. 4 shows a view of one of the intermediate joints where the compression members rest upon one of the vertical cylinders. Fig. 5 is a view of the lower end of one of the intermediate cylinders, showing how one of the cross-beams is secured thereto. Fig. G is a view of the shoe which rests upon the abutment and which holds the joint which receives thelower end of the compression members. Fig. vv7 isa view of the joint which unites the compression members at the upper ends.

In the drawings I show a truss-bridge and describe the various parts as applicable thereto, although it will be evident that the dimensions may beincreased at will without depart? ing from the spirit of this invention.

a represents compression members 'compris'- ing hollow tubes or cylinders having lsquare ends, and ct is a joint having a shoulder mounted upon a pin b', which in turn is mounted in a shoe c, the said shoe being constructed and supported in any manner desired and secured to the abutment upon which the bridge is adapted to rest.

c is a joint constructed substantially as shown in Fig. 7 and secured together by a pin CZ, each member of which terminates in a tubular end d and has abutting shoulders e, so as to receive the compression members.

It will thus be observed that by the use of the parts above described the length of the bridge may be varied somewhat without eX- changing the various parts.

The intermediateY portion of the bridge is provided with joints e', having shoulders f, which receive the longitudinal compression members, and f IVis the vertical member of the joint e', fitting into each other, as shown in Fig. 4, and detachably held in position by a pin, and the lower end of the vertical member f' being provided with a shoulder against which the vertical compression member of the bridge will abut.

Upon the cross-beam I mount a joint la, similar to the one just described at the top, only that it is inverted and is adapted to Vreceive the lower end of the' vertical tubular compression member. The cross-beam g is supported by a vertical and diagonal truss-rod h and h'.

The top and the bottom of the bridge are tied together by the usual rods running diagonally across.

fm is a triangular bracket and maybe secu red to the vertical compression member andthe strut by straps n, which obviates the necessity of riveting said bracket to the bridge or to its various members and prevents theirbeing weakened in any particular. Y

It will also be observed that the three-way joint (shown in Fig. 4) may be made all in one piece or it may be made of cylinders of varying lengths and of varying diameters.

I do not limit myself to the specific form, mode, or method of construction, as it would be evident that it may be produced in a variety of ways. It will also be seen that it may be constructed by inclosing one cylinder Within another of 'less length or the reverse.

Having described my invention, what I claim,and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

l. A joint for truss-bridges consisting of concentric tubes of different lengths whereby end tenons adapted to enter the longitudinal compression members are provided, and a transverse pin inserted through'the tubes and adapted to engage the other members of the truss.

2. In a truss-bridge, a joint for connecting longitudinal and vertical compression members comprising a longitudin al sleeve built up out of multiple tubes having end tenons eutering said longitudinal members, a vertical sleeve built up out of multiple tubes entering said longitudinal sleeve at an angle, and having au end tenon entering said vertical member, and a pin inserted through both sleeves and projecting to form a bearing for the other truss'members and cross-strut. Y

3. In a truss-bridge, ajoint for connecting compression members to the piers, comprising a sleeve built up of tubes having end tenons entering said member, and a shoe in which j said joint is pivotally mounted.

4. In a truss-bridge, a joint for connecting compression-members to the piers,comprising i a sleeve built up of tubes having end tenons entering said member, a shoe and a pin passing through said joint and base, for the purpose of forming a swinging joint, said pin being adapted to engage the other members of the truss.

5. In a bridge of the class described, ka bracket secured between the compression members and the strut-rods by straps secured to said bracket and around the compression members and cross-struts respectively.

6. In a bridge of the class described, across- Y.

EUGENE ROE WOODRUFF.

Witnesses:

MILDRED M. Norr, HOWARD P. DENISON. 

